The Cambridge Minor Hockey Association and Cambridge RedHawks Jr. B team have formed a partnership in hopes of giving players a chance to play at the next level locally.
The CMHA U16 AAA team, previously known as the Hawks, will now take on the name Junior RedHawks.
"This partnership actually provides the mechanism for our players to stay within the city, to play higher level, competitive hockey," CMHA president Jason Pembleton told 519 Sports Online during the announcement.
A player's U16 year is an important one, with the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection taking place following the season.
Last year, four CMHA players were taken, led by defenceman Lincoln Baker who was selected in the 7th round by the Kingston Frontenacs.
Kevin Clancy, the U16 AAA coach, is happy to see a partnership with the city's junior B franchise that gives players who don't make the jump to the OHL a potential place to develop close to home.
"It’s a pathway that takes them right from the younger levels all the way right through to junior hockey," he said.
"The two associations got together and made it happen, we’re super excited."
The jr. B RedHawks opened their preseason schedule this past weekend with a 5-2 loss in Stratford against the Warriors.
They'll play a home-and-home with Kitchener-Waterloo on Sept. 3 and 7 to wrap up preseason play before opening the 2024-25 regular season on Sept. 13 at the St. Catharines Falcons.
Their home opener is the following night against the Pelham Panthers at Galt Arena Gardens.